10 Best Budget Over-Ear Headphones 2025 in the United States

The Sony WH-CH720N headphones are a solid choice for anyone looking for budget over-ear headphones that deliver impressive features without breaking the bank. One of the standout aspects is their exceptional comfort; weighing just 192g, they are designed for extended wear, making them suitable for long listening sessions or calls. The noise cancellation technology is another strong point, utilizing dual noise sensors for an immersive experience, allowing you to enjoy music or podcasts without distractions.

Sound quality is commendable, with natural vocals and a balanced sound profile, thanks to the Integrated Processor V1. This ensures you hear music as the artists intended, and features like the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine enhance compressed audio for better clarity. Battery life is impressive as well, boasting up to 35 hours of playback on a single charge. Quick charging is a bonus, allowing for an hour of playback with just a 3-minute charge. The headphones also support multipoint connectivity, enabling users to switch between two devices seamlessly—a great feature for multitaskers.

If comfort, sound quality, and battery life are your priorities, the Sony WH-CH720N headphones offer great value. They fit well for casual listeners and everyday use.

The Soundcore Anker Life Q20 headphones are a solid choice if you’re looking for budget over-ear headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC). They deliver good sound quality with Hi-Res Audio support and custom 40mm drivers, providing clear music with detailed highs and boosted bass thanks to BassUp technology, which is great for bass lovers. Comfort is decent due to soft foam ear cups, making them suitable for long listening sessions, like office work or travel. The build quality uses lightweight polycarbonate, so they won’t feel too heavy, but they may not be as durable as pricier models.

Noise isolation is a standout feature here, with hybrid ANC effectively reducing low to mid-frequency sounds such as traffic and airplane noise, which helps create a quieter listening environment. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 40 hours with ANC on and 60 hours without, plus a quick 5-minute charge that provides 4 hours of playback—ideal for busy users. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.0 and a 15-meter range, and the option for wired use via the included AUX cable adds flexibility. Additional features include USB-C charging and a travel pouch, useful for portability.

On the downside, while they do a good job at noise cancelling, they might not fully block all types of noise, especially higher frequencies, and the button controls may feel a bit basic compared to touch controls on more expensive models. These headphones provide great value, especially for those who want a comfortable, long-lasting pair with effective noise cancelling at an affordable price.

The Beats Studio Pro headphones offer a solid package for anyone looking for wireless over-ear headphones with good sound quality and strong features. They deliver rich, immersive sound thanks to Beats’ custom acoustic platform and support lossless audio over USB-C, which is great if you want clearer music. The personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking adds a nice touch, creating a more engaging listening experience. Comfort-wise, the over-ear design with faux leather cushions should be comfortable for extended use, though the weight of about 260 grams is moderate—not the lightest but not too heavy either. Noise isolation is handled well with fully adaptive Active Noise Cancelling and a Transparency mode, letting you choose between blocking outside noise or hearing your surroundings.

Battery life is impressive at up to 40 hours on a single charge, with a quick 10-minute charge giving you an extra 4 hours—convenient for long trips or heavy usage. Connectivity is reliable with Bluetooth 5.3, providing a strong range and fewer dropouts, plus easy pairing with both Apple and Android devices. On-device controls and voice assistant support (Siri) add user-friendly options for managing calls and music without reaching for your phone. The build quality feels sturdy and foldable, making them easy to carry in the included woven case.

One downside is that these headphones aren’t water-resistant, so they might not be ideal for heavy workouts or rainy conditions. Also, while they do a good job at noise isolation, some may find the sound profiles a bit tuned toward bass-heavy or signature Beats sound, which might not satisfy purists looking for a completely neutral tone. These headphones suit casual listeners and those who want a mix of style, strong battery life, and advanced features at a mid-range price.